HELP Meeting Minutes
January 15, 2003
Hosted by Zymogenetics

I.  Jesse Mushen (CTI) reviewed the minutes from the Steering Committee Meeting, which was held in December.  We will have nametags at each meeting.  We will also keep an up-to-date roster of members, which will only be available for voting members.  Standing committees will be formed to look into areas such as Waste Disposal facility audits.

II.  Tony Smith (Zymogenetics) introduced a groundable, teflon diaphram pump that can be used to transfer chemical waste from carboys to a 55-gallon drum.  It is driven by air and transfers at a rate of about 10 gallons/minute.  It solves the ergonomic issue of holding heavy containers above waist level.  It reduces chemical exposure since it is a closed system.  The cost for the pump will be about $650 and you will need accessories such as the dip tube which will cost about $250 to $300.  Tony is going to try out the prototype which should be finished in about two weeks.

III.  Arden Scroggs from the Washington State Department of Health Radiation Division discussed ‘What ‘s New in Radiation Safety in Washington State’.

The Division of Radiation Protection has been reorganized.  Leo Wainhouse is now the supervisor of the Nuclear Safety Section.  The person who was previously the supervisor for the nuclear safety section has moved to a position working on bioterrorism/radiation terrorism and will deal with such possibilities as "dirty bombs".  Anine Grumbles is now in Leo’s old position and should be up to speed in several months.    Terry Frazee is now the Western Regional Director and Arden is the Supervisor of the Radioactive Materials Section.    You can still reach anyone in the Radioactive Materials Section by calling Dori Dodson at 360-236-3220.

There are certain areas in which the state is trying to ramp up Security in dealing radioactive materials.  They would like to see more security in the Receiving Area of the facility so that when radioactive material is delivered it is immediately locked or taken to the a secure lab area.  In lab areas they would like to see a minimum amount of radioactive materials out on the lab benches where anyone could have access.  They would like to see waste locked up in cages or Plexiglas containers.  Stock solutions should be in a locked refrigerator/freezer or inside a locked box within.  The box should be such that it is not easily taken away.    There are no regulations stating the above, however Arden stated that they are hoping that people will jump on board so they don’t have to create new regulations.

The next HELP meeting will be held on March 19, 2003, from 9:00am to 10:30am at Berlex in Canyon Park.  Dave Waddell will be speaking about Industrial Wastewater and lab clean up issues.  Please email eicehs@aol.com with your questions for Dave!  

The next Steering Committee meeting is scheduled for February 19, 2003, from 9am to 10am at CTI.